Sky Bet Supreme report: Labaik springs Supreme shock

1.30 Cheltenham result

1st Labaik (25/1)
2nd Melon (3/1 joint-fav)
3rd River Wylde (8/1)

Race Report

There was a big shock as Labaik (25/1) won the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival. 

Gordon Elliott’s outsider had refused or virtually refused on his previous three starts but jumped off well with them when it mattered and he travelled into the race beautifully under 17-year-old Jack Kennedy. 

Melon (3/1 joint-favourite) came there swinging under Ruby Walsh as well as he tracked the pace set by stablemate Cilaos Emery, but he wasn’t going quite as well as the winner who loomed up on the outside and found plenty to score.

River Wylde (8/1) stayed on for third with Ballyandy fourth. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse was backed into joint-favouritism at the off but didn’t jump well and he was shuffled back at a crucial stage. 

Labaik was two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Melon at the line, with the front two eight lengths clear of the rest.

Reaction

Jack Kennedy speaking to ITV Racing: "Words can't describe what it's like. I was probably a little bit far back but they went a good gallop. It couldn't have gone any better."

"I always enjoyed watching it (as a boy) and it's great to get a taste of it. Everyone wants more, but I'll be going home a very happy lad at the end of the week now, however things go. It's brilliant."

Gordon Elliott: "He could have gone to Naas on Sunday, I said to the lads it wouldn't be as embarrassing if he refuses there. It just all worked out today. I told Jack if he jumped off to just hunt around and ride him for a place.

"I've always said he's our best work horse in the yard. I don't care if he never jumps off again!"

Willie Mullins (trainer of Melon):  "He ran well and I don't there are any excuses."

Nicky Henderson (trainer of River Wylde): "Last year we were third with Buveur D'Air and he is coming here for the Champion Hurdle, and there was a horse called Sprinter Sacre who finished third in it a few years ago. So third is a good place to finish in the Supreme.

"He ran a terrific race. There is no rush to decide what we do with him, he doesn't have to go chasing. There is no rush to decide, we have got six months to do that."

Nigel Twiston-Davies (trainer of Ballyandy):  "We had no luck in running  At the last with a circuit to go he got stopped dead. The winner cruised away and you can't take that away from him. We were beaten by a better horse on the day. He stayed on well, though.

"He will go to Aintree and it might be that we have to go a bit further. It is very disappointing, but he has run well. He will definitely go over fences next season. He jumps hurdles too well as he takes a lot of time in the air." 

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